---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 1397k–2"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "1397k–2"
heading: "Research protections"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/1397k-2"
units:
  - "Chapter 7 — Social Security"
  - "Subchapter XX — Block Grants and Programs for Social Services and Elder Justice"
  - "Division B — Elder Justice"
  - "Part I — National Coordination of Elder Justice Activities and Research"
  - "Subpart a — elder justice coordinating council and advisory board on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation"
---

# §1397k–2. Research protections

- (a) **Guidelines—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall promulgate guidelines to assist researchers working in the area of [elder](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=5) [abuse](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=1), [neglect](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=16), and [exploitation](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=8), with issues relating to human subject protections.
- (b) **Definition of legally authorized representative for application of regulations—** For purposes of the application of subpart A of part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, to research conducted under this subpart, the term “legally authorized representative” means, unless otherwise provided by law, the individual or judicial or other body authorized under the applicable law to consent to medical [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) on behalf of another [person](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-3).

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XX, § 2023, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, § 6703(a)(1)(C), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 789.)